MELBOURNE: Indian conglomerate Adani Mining on Thursday won state approval to build a 300-km rail line for its USD 15 billion Carmichael coal mine project in Australia that will enable transportation of 100 million tonnes of coal a year after construction.

Queensland State’s Coordinator General has cleared the way for the USD 2 billion (2.2 billion Australian dollars) rail line project called the North Galilee Basin Rail (NGBR) that would link Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine with Abbot Point coal terminal.

“Following the Commonwealth Government’s approval of the Carmichael mine in recent weeks, Adani welcomes today’s approval by the Queensland Coordinator General of the North Galilee Basin Rail project,” the company spokesperson said.

The USD 15 billion (16.5 billion Australian dollars) coal project is expected to provide electricity for up to 100 million people in India.

“Adani looks forward to continuing to work with our project partners and all levels of government to see this through, building on its existing track record of successfully operating ports and related infrastructure in this country, and delivering more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and vital opportunities for suppliers in Queensland,” the company said in a statement.

The development follows last month’s announcement by Adani of Korean giant POSCO E&C as the EPC contractor and joint venture partner on the NGBR, reflecting the growing confidence in the project as the shift from the approvals phase to the build phase nears, it said.

“The NGBR represents a significant milestone for infrastructure development in Queensland. The state’s first standard gauge rail line, it will underpin greatly expanded and vital export opportunities across the basin, providing a lasting legacy of infrastructure to this state beyond our already significant port and mine investments here,” the statement said.

The company said approvals granted for its infrastructure investments in Queensland have been amongst the “strictest and most stringent” processes of their kind ever undertaken by any level of government in Australia.

It is estimated the rail line will take about two years to build and will pump in up to USD 790 million into the Mackay region and over USD 900 million into the state economy during its construction phase.

The proposed standard gauge greenfield rail line will be able to transport 100 million tonnes of coal a year.

Queensland Deputy premier Jeff Seeney said up to 2,400 jobs could be created following the approval of the rail project.–PTI